Onyx Amphitheater
Near the heart of the Poliran capital of Auberris the narrow, winding streets give way to a tremendous half-oval sinking into the ground. It is filled with what seems like one continous expanse of smooth black stone. The open-air theater sinks into the ground in regular steps to accomodate the audience. At the bottom, a wide oval flattens out to create a stage, and behind that oval, the stonework curves up into a half-shell that cleverly reflects the performers' voices outwards to their audience. This massive work is known as the Onyx Amphitheater.
Appearing at first to be one massive carved stone, the amphitheater is actually comprised of many sections cleverly joined together with little or no gap between. It can seat an astonishing 4,000 people at one time, and has enough room on the stage for entire musical ensembles or theater troupes and their sets. This marvel exists as one of the only remnants of the ancient city of Clarbonne, a massive metropolis destroyed, like so much else, in The Shattering.
Purpose / Function
It is assumed that the amphitheater was utilized in Clarbonne in much the same way as it is today. Musical performances and plays are performed there before the largest of audiences in Polira. Before each performance, a troupe of fools will often entertain both children and adults alike. All performances are scheduled by the Royal Master or Mistress of the Revels.
In addition to the performances, the large capacity and excellent acoustics make it ideal for proclaiming royal decrees, changes in laws or taxes, or other such public announcements, enabling them to be diseminated throughout the city at a rapid pace.
When not officially in use, town criers and budding performers will often try to use the space for practicing vocal techniques, and the residents nearby are often bothered by spurious news reports and off-key songs echoing up from the stage. Even the occasional protest group will set up there to air their grievances. All are soon sent packing by the City Guard.
Architecture
The techniques of stonemasonry that went into the creation of the Onyx Amphitheater are beyond any skills that exist today. It is highly likely that magic was employed in the cutting and fitting of the massive stones. Contrary to its name, the structure is not made of Onyx, but rather what has been identified as Camtou Marble, a province where many marble quarries existed prior to The Shattering. As such, it is a relic of not one, but two regions from the Age of Magic.
Founding Date
Unknown
Alternative Names
The Bowl
Type
Amphitheatre
Parent Location
Owning Organization
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